Weddings Brian Hatton Weddings Brian Hatton

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Wedding : The Palm House : Brooklyn, NY


Late spring at Brooklyn Botanic Garden has a way of doing the work for you. The greens are confident. The light is generous. Everything feels awake.

Olivia and Sunjay were married on one of those days.

The ceremony unfolded on the lawn beneath a sweeping weeping willow—branches dipping low, framing the moment like it had been waiting for them. Soft afternoon light filtered through the leaves. Nothing was forced or rushed.

Inside The Palm House, color carried the room. Bright, cheerful florals by Rebecca Shepherd played beautifully against glass and greenery—joyful, vibrant, alive. It felt like spring fully committing.

There’s a calm that settles in when a day is well held. Exquisite Affairs Productions coordinated everything with quiet precision, allowing the day to unfold naturally—giving Olivia and Sunjay the space to be exactly who they are together: fun-loving, relaxed, and completely at ease.

That ease shows up everywhere. In the way they laugh. In how they move through the garden. In moments that don’t ask for attention but reward it when you notice.

Alongside me was Fen Video Production—one of those collaborators who just gets it. Professional, thoughtful, unobtrusive. The kind of presence you want when the goal is to preserve a day as it actually felt.

This was a wedding that didn’t try too hard. It didn’t need to. The light showed up. The garden showed up. And Olivia and Sunjay showed up for each other—fully, joyfully, without pretense.

Some days just do that.

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Brooklyn Botanic Garden Wedding : Beth & Courtney : Brooklyn, NY

 Beth & Courtney were married on May 27th, with a ceremony and reception at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden & Palm House in Brooklyn, NY. This year, it just so happened that I was at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for an engagement session and a couple weddings over the course of May.  It's pretty amazing how the gardens evolve over that period of time!  Late in May for Beth & Courtney's wedding, the foliage was a deep, vibrant green and the color pops right out of the images. Beth & Courtney got ready together at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge where I caught the tail end of Beth's prep.  Courtney took advantage of the Palm House's brand new bridal suite to put on her Oscar de la Renta gown. Once Courtney was dressed, we ventured in to the gardens for a first look and some portraits before guests began to arrive.  Fortunately, the Botanic Garden provides a golf cart to get around so we were able to visit some of their notable spots.  This was the first time I photographed a ceremony in this particular location on the grounds and I think it might be my favorite!  An enormous shade tree frames the ceremony area and the guests are flanked on either side by even more greenery.  It's really a perfect, idyllic spot for a wedding.  Following the reception, guests gathered outside the Palm House for what I think is one of the best parts of having your wedding here - the outdoor cocktail hour. Courtney & Beth's guests were a spirited group, including some mutual friends of my own!  There was no shortage of excitement as the brides entered the Palm House for their reception.  This was one of my favorite moments of the day, followed closely by their first dance.  As the sun came down, a soft blue glow filtered down through the glass ceiling as their loved ones gave toasts. There are a handful of venues across the City of New York that make you forget where you are - and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of them.  If you live in the city, you really should make a point to visit the garden every season to observe all the changes.  Many thanks to the brides for including me - it was a pleasure photographing your engagement photos in DUMBO and tying it all up with the wedding! 

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